Scotland’s coronations have historic traditions, but the streets of Edinburgh also saw tensions between supporters of the monarchy and the republic.
of the British King Charles’s the coronation ceremony was held on Wednesday in Edinburgh, Scotland, exactly two months after the actual coronation in London.
Although the coronation of the new British monarch has already been celebrated, the reasons for the separate celebrations in Scotland go back a long way in history. England and Scotland had separate monarchs until 1603, when the crowns were united.
Charles traveled to the Queen Camilla’s and the crown prince William’s and the duchess Katherine’s with from the royal residence to St Giles Cathedral, or High Kirk, where the celebrations took place. Among others, 700 soldiers from the British land, air and sea forces participated in the procession.
In the cathedral, Charles was awarded, among other things, the Honors of Scotland, which were once worn by Scottish monarchs.
The Crown Jewels are kept in Edinburgh Castle and include the crown and scepter and sword of Scotland. The original 16th century sword is British Broadcasting Corporation the BBC too fragile to use in a ceremony. In its place, Charles was handed a new sword named after his late mother the Queen Elizabeth’s by.
The stone of destiny also played a central role in the ceremony Stone of Destiny, the ancient 150-pound symbol of the Scottish monarchy. The same stone was also in Westminster Abbey in London during the coronation in May.
Demonstrators demand the abolition of the monarchy
In Edinburgh, demonstrators organized protests against the monarchy along the royal procession. The use of tax funds for ostentatious celebrations also received its share of criticism, while more and more citizens are finding it difficult to make ends meet due to rising prices.
The demonstration of about a hundred people was attended by, among others, the Scottish minister who particularly criticized the event’s use of money Partick Harveysays the newspaper The Guardian.
In Scotland, according to polls, the monarchy is less popular than in the rest of the United Kingdom. According to the BBC, there were also verbal altercations between opponents and supporters of the monarchy on the streets of Edinburgh, and a few protesters were arrested.
Charles has served as King since September of last year, when Queen Elizabeth died at the age of 96. Elizabeth’s coronation was also celebrated in Scotland with similar expenses in 1953.
Sources: Reuters, AP